Head-lamp aimer



- 1943- K. D. SCOTT ET-AL 2,337,502

HEADLAMP AIMER Filed Oct. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvervbors:

Kenneth D. Sco'ht,

Rich T'd W. Townsend,

- Their" A't'lrorneg.

Patented Dec. 21, 1943 HEAD-LAMP AIMER Kenneth D. Scott, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and

Richard W. Townsend, Washington, D. 0., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 28, 1941, Serial No. 416,918

8 Claims.

Our invention relates to means for aiming the head-lamps of motor vehicles or other conveyances. More particularly our invention relates to means for aiming headlamps of the type comprising an adjustable holder for a light projecting device of the reflector lamp type having an incandescible filament mounted at a definite, fixed location in the lamp envelope and a paraboloidal reflecting surface on the inner surface of the envelope. In such headlamps the holder provides an annular mounting seat for a mounting shoulder or shoulders on the peripheral portion of the lamp. The plane of the mounting seat on the holder and the mounting shoulder on the lamp is perpendicular to the axis of the paraboloidal reflector. The reflector axis, and thus the projected beam of light, may be aimed in a desired direction by adjusting the holder, all as described in the U. S. Patent No. 2,148,314, D. K. Wright, issued February 21, 1939. 7

An object of the invention is to provide simple, compact and efficient means for mechanically aiming headlamps of the above type. Another object of the invention is to provide means for mechanically aiming a pair of such headlamps so that the projected beams of light are parallel. Another object of the invention is to provide headlamp aiming means which is readily transportable and which requires a minimum of space for its use. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof and" from the accompanying drawings showing species thereof in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view show-,- ing a pair of aiming devices embodying the invention mounted upon the headlamps of an automobile; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the devices shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar view of another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lamp support of a known type for which the devices of the in vention are useful; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a similar view of another embodiment of the in-' vention; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view of a difierent type of support than that shown in Fig. 4 and means for removably securing an aiming device to said support, and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a pendulum, pointer and scale useful in the embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the support for the reflector lamp is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4 wherein an annular, bowl shaped holder -I- having three orifices II therein is clamped onto the housing I2 by springs I3 and set screws I4 and I5. The springs I3 are secured to the housing I2. Said screws I4 and I engage with fixed, threaded sockets mounted at the top and side of said housing I2 and with ears I6 of holder Ill. The holder I0 has a sloping portion which rests against a shoulder in the housing I2 in such manner that the holder I0 is movable with respect to the housing I 2 when set screws M or I5are turned. The housingIZ is rigidly bolted to a support in the shells I! (Fig. 1) and hasa passage therein to accommodate an'electrical conductor terminating in a socket for the contacts of the reflector lamp. The lamp is clamped in the holder I0 by a holding ring which overlaps the peripheral portion of the lamp and which is fastened to the holder III by bolts engaging with the threaded holes in the ears I6 (onlyone of which is shown) of the holder I 0. A trim ring covers the holding ring and has a tongue at the top thereof which engages with slot I8 on housing I2 and a projection at the bottom thereof which is bolted to the housing I2. This structure is well known and forms no part of the present invention. I

Each of the headlamp aiming devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a rigid, supporting plate I9 having equally spaced lugs 20 which engage orifices II of the holder Ill. The perforated rim of the holder I0 is the mounting seat or seating plane for the lamp. The shoulders 2| of the plate I9 rest against the rim of'the holder Ill. The lugs 29 and the shoulders 2I of the plate I9 are duplicates of these elements of the reflector lamp to be mounted in said holder I9 when aiming thereof has been completed. The seating plane of the holder I9 is normal to the longitudinal axis of said holder I0. I I The plate I9 has an opening therein to accommodate the arm '22 having a hook 23 on the end thereof extending beyond the seating plane of the plate I9. Said arm 22 has transverse pins 24 and 25 extending therethrough on opposite sides of the plate I9 to limit the movement of said arm 22 with respect to the plate I9. A spring 26 is mounted on the arm 22 between the pin 25 and the back of plate I9. A rigid supporting frame comprising three metal strip members 21, 28, and 29 is fastened to the plate I9 in such position that the members 21, 28 and 29 are substantially normal to the seating plane of said plate I9. A spirit or bubble level 39 is supported on said frame member 29 by bolts 3| and 32; The bolt 32 passes through spring 33 which is compressed between member 29 and the spirit level 30.- By

turning the nut on the bolt 32, the position of said spirit level 30 with respect to the seating plane of said plate 19 can be adjusted from a normal position to one at an angle thereto. By utilizing spirit level 30, aiming of the longitudinal axis of the holder ll) in a vertical direction and adjustment of theseating plane with respect to the. vertical is "readily accomplished as explained hereinafter. I

The aiming units comprise means for estab; lishing a reference line therebetween which perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the.

vehicle and parallel to the rear axle of the normal automobile. In the embodiment of the 'ihv tion illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; each or t comprises a projector light on a target 35 mounted on the other of said units. Said target 35 has a vertical hairline 35 1 thereon and said projector 34 has hairlinesnormal to each other and at 45 to the vertical. The projector 34 is so mounted on the frame 211, 28"a'nd 29 that its axis of projection is parallel to the seating plane of the .plate l9. The line 36 on the target 35 is spaced the same distance from said seating plane as the axis of projection of the projector 34. Thus, in each unit the line is directly above the center of the projector 34'; Energy 'for the light source in the projector 34 isobtained from the battery of the vehicle 7 through the contact 31 which engages with a .s'o'c'lit not shown) in the housing l2. Insu-e lated conductor 38 carries the current from said contact 3'I to said projector 34. When a source of electrical energy is not readily available. as in automobile assembly lines, or the like; convene tionalfiajshlight batteries-may be used in the pro jctor 3'4. 1

In adjusting the holders H! of the headlamps; the aiming units are used in pairs as in Fig.1". Each unit is secured to the holder In in the headlamps by first resting the seating plane of the plate [9 against the rim Of said. holder ID with the lugs in the orifices H, The arm 22- is then forced against the spring zfi'until the-hook 13 catches behind the inner ede of the holder-f l0: The force exerted by the spring 26 is 'sufiicient to firmly clamp the unit in position. The top screw 14 of; said holder Hl is then turned lathe direction required to tilt the latter until the spirit level 30, indicates that it is in ahorizont'al isitiom If the spirit level 30 is normal to the seating plane of the plate I9 and the surface on which the teme rests is horizontal, then the seating plane of the holder ID will be verticall'and the longitudinal axis thereof horizontal. The aiiis of the reflector of the. lamp mounted in said holder l0, when it is so adjusted, will behoriz'ontal. The projected beam of light, dueto the lens of the'lamp, willbe; inclined downwardly 3 inches in feet as is'standard in aiming lamps of this type. When desired, the spirit level with a calibrated adjustment to correct ior'a sloping floor and to provide for differentangles of declination ofthe'be'am from thehorizontal; or both. V p Similarly, the'long'itudinal axis of each-of the holders Ill is aimed in'a horizontal plane'byturn'ri'n'gthe side screws l5. Thus, the point or inter! section of the 'hairlines in the projected beam of light from each of projectors 34 may be brought onto the contrasting line. 360i thetarget 35 of the other offsaid units. When the holders l0 are so adjusted their longitudinal axes are parallel'a's paraboloidal reflectors in the mounted in the holders' lli".

re the axes 01 the lamps subsequently V ij a4 forthrowing' (a beam or isprovided The beams of light emitted by lamp are then parallel to each other and the seating plane of each of the holders I0 is normal to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle. When desired, the targets 35 are calibrated, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to provide for adjustment of the seating plane of the holders lll so that the parallel light beams rrfo nthl lamps mountedthereinare projected at any desired angle from the straight ahead travel of the vehicle.

After vertical and horizontal aiming of the longitudinal axis of each of the holders H] has 1 been completed, the aiming units are removed b "ook 23. The reflector lamps then be led on the headlamps. e e'mbodime s of the invention illustrated n Figs. 3 and 5 are similar in all respects to that shown in Figs. land 2 except for the means of establishing the reference line between the units. In the aiming device illustrated in Fig. 3 the reference line between the units. only one of which is illustrated, is established by a sighting arrangement consisting or a' pee sight 39,- a mirror 40 and an wat red-member; 4| having a hairline 42. Elements 3aarid are in the same plane and when the hairline 35 on tli'e' ;target 35' of the opposite unit coincides with hairline 42 in the mirror no the unit throug which the signers-made, then the seatih'gpi-ane of the holder I 0 611 which the plate I9 is mounted is normal to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle.

The aiming units illiistrated in Fig. 5 are eac pl0Vidd With a sue-frame member- 43 which is secured to the plate I 9,:a's shown. A flexible strip 35 flisu'ch as a thgsphorprenze strip, is interposed between'plate [35nd fram'e' 43 to permit trans; v'e "emovefment of; the latter with respectto' the former. The trainees; as s'pelced' holders 45 and- 4s bolted thereto at the free e'n thereof tq accommodate a's'tr'aigh't; rigid bar 41 extending from one to the other which serves as a ref re'iice line for the plates I9- of the aiming un ts. The holder 46 is rigid and has spaced cylindrical elements 48 welded to the sui fa'ce of facing holder 45, t holder 45 is retand hasfaprojection 49"therecin which is t in h eam Th i1 i this. easily n. rt d,, w e q-,. e 6ve .f 'm. t holders 45; and and is firmly clamped between h e isfi' i i V efs iri le st l i fl imported by hinge 50 bolt d1 to platei l 9' and by the support 5| also I 'iidinal axis; of the; holder In cf Fig. 4 'is' a omplishe'd in the; same manner a's' described i connection w th r gs, '1. and 2. hen-amen Kas a pointer 52 r'igidly's'ecured thereto which bve'rlaps'thesupport'5 l. The endo f'pointerM is @pposite cautratgeaiseeie ss-p nplate v5 which is {a d tois t5 .Thpbsitio'n'ofthe end 1- o 'ntr5'2 w hrespectitti scale 53'ir'idioates the IglttlilVQ position ofz the" mine 43fandfthe seatin plane er the plate; s; ramming-theioiigaudin'ai anis otthe holder m when treating units are mounted on the;headlarnps,;th;e side screw 15 thereof is turned until the end of: the pointer Zis opposite the proper,- line on the plate 54. Both units :a're similarlyg adjusted-so that the re- ,fieotor lamps subsequently: mounted in the headlampsemit paraller beams-inthedirejction ofthe straightah'ead' travel of the automobile, or at a desired angle'to said direction.

vOther means of establishing the reference line between the units. are used, when desired. For example, a taut string or wire extending between the units over a support spaced from the plate 'I 9 and passing over acalibrated scale on said support is useful for establishing such a line. This structure is illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings in which line 55 is held taut between the units by the weight 56. l The line 55 extends over the support 51 andrthe calibrated scale 53.

In those instances where the holder I is not capable of accommodating the hook 23, the holding ring for the reflector lamp may be utilized for the purpose of supporting the aiming unit on the headlamp in the same manner that the reflector lamp is supported thereby. This is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, in which the parts of the plate i9 which engage the holding ring 58 and the holder I0 have approximately the same dimensions and configuration as the corresponding parts of the reflector lamp. In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. '7, the plate I9 is clamped between said holder l0 and the holding ring 58. The holding ring 58 is fastened to holder I0 by a number of spaced bolts and nuts 59, one of which is shown in the drawings.

While we prefer to refer the aiming device to a spirit level for the purpose of aiming the longitudinal axis of the holder [0 at any desired angle from the horizontal, we contemplate the use of other devices operated by gravity for this purpose. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, a pendulum 60 and pointer 6| may be used and adjustment thereof to compensate for a sloping floor or the like may be made by moving the scale 62 of the pendulum 60.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for aiming a spaced pair of vehicle headlamps each having an adjustable lamp holder provided with a seating plane for peripherally supporting a reflector lamp, said apparatus comprising a pair of aiming units, one for each of said holders, said units comprising means for making contact with said seating plane, means for establishing a straight line between said units which is perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle and means on each of said units for indicating the angular relation between the seating plane of said holder and said straight line, said line establishing means being so spaced from and so secured to said contact making means that the latter is movable in a horizontal angular path about its own center.

2. An apparatus for aiming a spaced pair of vehicle headlamps each having an adjustable lamp holder provided with a seating plane for peripherally supporting a reflector lamp, said apparatus comprising a pair of aiming units, one for each of said holders, said units comprising means for making contact with said seating plane, means comprising a light projector and a target for establishing a straight line between said units which is perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle and means on each of said units for indicating the angular relation between the seating plane of said holder and said straight line, said line establishing means being so spaced from and so secured to said contact making means that the latter is movable in a horizontal angular path about its own center.

3. An apparatus for aiming a spaced pair of vehicle headlamps each having an adjustable lamp'holder provided with a seating plane for peripherally supporting 'a' reflector lamp, said ap-. paratuscomprising a pair of aiming units, one for each ofrsaid holders, said units comprising means for making contact with; said seating plane, means comprising a peep-sight, a'mirror and a target for establishing a straight line between said units which is perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle and means on each of said units for indicating the angular relation betweenthe seating plane-of said holder and said straight line, said line establishing'means being so spaced from and so secured to said contact making means that the latter is movable in a horizontal angular path about its own center.

4. An apparatus for aiming a spaced pair of vehicle headlamps each having an adjustable lamp holder provided with a seating plane for peripherally supporting reflector lamp, said apparatus comprising a pair of aiming units, one for each of said holders, said units comprising means for making contact with said seating plane, means comprising an elongated body for establishing a straight line between said units which is perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle and means on each of said units for indicating the angular relation between the seating plane of said holder and said straight line, said line establishing means being so spaced from and so secured to said contact making means that the latter is movable in a horizontal angular path about its own center.

5. An apparatus for aiming a spaced pair of vehicle headlamps each having an adjustable lamp holder provided With a seating plane for peripherally supporting a reflector lamp, said apparatus comprising a pair of aiming units, one for each of said holders, said units comprising means for making contact with said seating plane, means for clamping said units to said holders, means for establishing a straight line between said units which is perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle and means on each of said units for indicating the angular relation between the seating plane of said holder and said straight line, said line establishing means being so spaced from and so secured to said contact making means that the latter is movable in a horizontal angular path about its own center.

6. A device for aiming a vehicle headlamp having an adjustable lamp holder provided with an annular seating plane for peripherally supporting a reflector lamp, said device comprising a supporting member engageable with the seating plane of said holder, a frame mounted on said supporting member and means on said frame and spaced from said supporting member for indicating the angular relation between the seating plane of said holder and a line normal to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle, said supporting member being movable in a horizontal angular path about its own center.

'7. An apparatus for aiming a spaced pair of vehicle headlamps each having an adjustable lamp holder provided with a seating plane for peripherally supporting a reflector lamp, said apparatus comprising a pair of aiming units, one for each of said holders, each of said units comprising means for making contact with said seating plane, means for clamping said unit to one of said holders, a light projector attached to said unit and having its axis of projection parallel to the seating plane of said holder when said unit is clamped thereto and a target attached to said unit and having a contrasting line directly above 4 aaaweoa the center iotrsaid projector, said light projector also having intersecting hair-lines thereon which are projected ontozthe tar et of :theopp sine v mounting seat, a frame extending outward iron; and normal to the back face .of said plate, a level indicator carried by said frame and so disposed thereon as .to indicate the position of said plate V5; with respect to the vertical, means also carried by said frame forestablisthng, between said aiming device and .a, similarzdevicemounted on the other headlamp of a vehicle, a reference 'line between the two devices which is perpendicular to the straight ahead travel of the vehicle.

1). sco'rr. momma WWTOWNSEND. 

